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Drab

/dræb/

adjectivenounB1

Definition

Drab means something that looks plain, boring, or not bright. It can describe colors that are dull or places and things that feel lifeless and uninteresting. When used as a noun, it refers to something or someone that is dull or not exciting.

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⚡ See It in Action

Adjective meaning dull, plain, or lacking brightness and interest

  • •She wore a drab gray dress to the party.
  • •The office looked drab without any decorations.
  • •The weather was drab and rainy all week.

Noun meaning a dull or boring person or thing

  • •He was considered a drab by his classmates because he never joined activities.
  • •The movie was a drab and many people left early.

🧲 Make It Stick

  • ✓Think of "drab" like "plain" (A1 word), but stronger—more boring and without any bright colors or fun
  • ✓Picture a room painted only in gray or brown, with no decorations or light—very dull and sad-looking
  • ✓It's the feeling when you see a rainy, cloudy day with no sun and everything looks gray and lifeless
  • ✓Sounds like "drab" → imagine dragging a heavy, dull blanket that covers everything and makes it look boring
  • ✓Think of a black-and-white old movie scene—no bright colors, just simple and dull images
  • ✓NOT like "bright" (colorful and lively), drab is the opposite: dull and lifeless
  • ✓NOT like "colorful" (full of colors), drab means the colors are weak or missing
  • ✓NOT like "exciting" (fun and lively), drab means boring and plain
  • ✓NOT like "dark" (only about light), drab is about being dull and uninteresting, not just dark in color

🔄 Try Other Words

  • •Dull: lacking brightness or interest (Use when you want to emphasize lack of light or excitement)
  • •Boring: not interesting or exciting (Use when focusing on lack of fun or excitement)
  • •Colorless: without color (Use when describing something with no color or very weak colors)
  • •Monotonous: always the same and boring (Use when something repeats without change and feels dull)

🔍 Unboxing

  • •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix, root word "drab")
  • •Etymology: From Middle English "drabbe," meaning dull or dirty color
  • •Historical development: Originally used to describe dull, faded colors or cloth; later extended to mean dull or boring in general
  • •Modern usage: Used to describe anything dull in color, appearance, or interest; common in everyday language for clothes, places, moods

💭 Reflect & Connect

•Can something be too drab in a way that makes people feel sad or tired? How do colors affect our mood?
•How do you make a drab place or outfit more interesting or lively?

Fill in the blanks with the correct word:

1.The room looked drab because it had ___ walls and no decorations.
2.She chose a drab outfit to avoid ___ attention at the event.
3.Unlike bright colors, drab colors make things look ___ and lifeless.
4.When the weather is drab, people often feel ___ and want to stay inside.
5.He was called a drab because he never ___ to join fun activities.
6.The movie was so drab that many viewers found it ___ to watch.
7.Drab colors usually go ___ with dull or gray surroundings.